The basics of refeeding the starving horse with an overview of metabolism challenges and feed recommendations. For more information please visit me at melnewton.com "The running, riding, writing veterinarian".

1. Feeding Starving
Horses
Why it’s not as simple as you think
Melinda N. Faubel
June 2014

3. Do Feed…
D. 1-3:
6 lbs in 6 evenly spaced
feedings
D. 4-10:
Gradually by day 6 feeding
13 lbs q 8 hours
D. 10:
Feed alfalfa ad lib 2x daily.
*Average flake = 6 pounds
Alfalfa

4. Do NOT feed…
Grain
Treats like carrots, apples
Supplements
Oil or other fats
Oat hay
Carbohydrates

5. Why not carbs?
High carb
meal

6. Why not carbs?
Insulin
release
High carb
meal

7. 6
Why not carbs?
Insulin
release
(this is a cell)
P
Mg
High carb
meal
Serum
PGlu

8. 6
Why not carbs?
Insulin
release
(this is a cell)
P
Mg
High carb
meal
Serum
PGlu

9. 6
Why not carbs?
Insulin
release
(this is a cell)
P
Mg
High carb
meal
Serum
PGlu
ADH, Aldosterone

10. 6
Why not carbs?
Insulin
release
(this is a cell)
P
Mg
High carb
meal
Respiratory, kidney,
respiratory failure
Serum
PGlu
Acute volume
expansion
ADH, Aldosterone

11. 6
Why not carbs?
Insulin
release
(this is a cell)
P
Mg
High carb
meal
Respiratory, kidney,
heart failure
Serum
“Refeeding Syndrome”
PGlu
Acute volume
expansion
ADH, Aldosterone
Depletion of K,
thiamine

12. Clinical Manifestations
Increased VCO2
respiratory failure
Temporary paralysis
Circulatory collapse

13. Healthy but thin = not safe
Study: emaciated but healthy horses re-
fed.
decreased serum Ca, Mg, P
One horse died, showing neurologic
signs on 6th day of refeeding

14. Why not oat hay?
Bulky, diarrhea
Low in magnesium,
phosphorus and other
“essential nutrients”

15. What about oil?
Adds calories, which
decreases the amount of
alfalfa
Does not contain elytes
Result: will see cumulative
decrease in elytes

16. Alfalfa - The right stuff
Low carb
High elyte content

17. Other Options
Parenteral nutrition?
Enteral nutrition if GI is working
Data in other species
Little is known about the horse

18. Prognosis & Progress
Loss of >50% of body weight is an
extremely poor prognosis
Energy changes: ~2 weeks
Some weight gain: 1 month
Significant weight gain: 3-5 months

19. References
AAEP
UC Davis (CEH)
Dunkel, B. and Wilkins, P. “Nutrition and the critically ill horse”. Vet
Clin Equine. 20. 2004. 107-126.